Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries: All Natural, Sugar Free!

At my first attempt at a chocolate covered cherry recipe, I came out with these beautiful and incredibly tasty natural candies I enjoyed as a child. Because I don’t eat sugar, or artificial sweeteners, I had to come up with a recipe that used xylitol and stevia to create homemade chocolate covered cherries this Valentine’s Day. It’s even great as a post-Valentine’s day treat after lunch. Trust me!

You will need to purchase a cherry bon-bon mold, like this one, in order to get the traditional “made-in-a-factory” type candy. However, you use whatever you have on hand to mold your chocolate covered cherries. You can even use ice cube trays for this chocolate covered cherry recipe (although I haven’t tried it, but I’m pretty sure it would work!). If you decide to try this (and I hope you do), then get ready for ultimate indulgence, without any guilt. No one will know that these sugar free candies are all natural and good for the body. Have fun!

Thoroughly blend the cocoa powder (or cacao or carob) with the melted oil (or butter/oil). Stir in raw honey and mix well until the honey is dissolved throughout the mixture (may require the use of a double broiler, or heating the mixture). Stir in the stevia extract until well combined. Set mixture aside.

Blend the honey with the softened butter until well combined. Beat the butter and honey mixture with the powdered xylitol until well combined. Set aside.

Take the chocolate molds out of the freezer and come to your chocolate mixture. Place about 1/2 tsp. of the melted chocolate into the cavity. Spread around the cavity with your finger until enough chocolate is coating the cavity. Repeat with other chocolate molds. Place in the freezer to set.

Take 1/3-3/4 tsp. of xylitol mixture and wrap it around each cherry. There should be enough to wrap around the cherry 3/4 around, or more. Set aside. Take out chocolate molds, place cherries with mixture covering them into the chocolate cavities. Pour in 1 tsp. of melted chocolate over the cherries to seal the candies. It might be more, depending on how large your candies are. Place into the freezer to set.

Take the candies out of the freezer, turn the candy mold upside down, lightly tap and enjoy. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 15 chocolate covered cherries.

These homemade chocolate covered cherries will set hearts on fire and save the world. Well, maybe not all in one day. But it is an incredibly satisfying way to end off a meal or to share with your significant other. I actually think these chocolate covered cherries are even better than the store bought ones I would receive every year at Christmas. In fact, I think I will be making these once a year, every year.

I hope you all enjoyed your Valentine’s day. Remember to treat everyday like Valentine’s day! Always share your love and your passion to others–never let go of that inner strength that sets you apart, and never let go of that inner beauty and love which connects you to so many.